Manufacture of cycle frames



May 24, 19 55 T. WATSON 2,703,786

MANUFACTURE OF CYCLE FRAMES Filed Jan. 21, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Tbm Watson m ll Atto ey5 Filed Jan. 21, 1953 May 24, 1955 WATSON 2,708,786

MANUFACTURE OF CYCLE FRAMES 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tom Wafson At orneys May 24, 1955 T. WATSON 2,708,786

MANUFACTURE OF CYCLE FRAMES Filed Jan. 21, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor 75m Watson By6zielg Atto neys May 24 1955 TV. WATSON 2,708,786

MANUFACTURE OF CYCLE- FRAMES Fiied. Jan. 21; 1953 vsheets-sheet 4 Inventor Tbm Maison ltorneys May 24, 1955 Filed Jan. 21, 1953 T. WATSON MANUFACTURE OF CYCLE FRAMES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor Tom Maison Attorneys 'r. WATSON 2,708,786 MANUFACTURE OF CYCLE FRAMES May 24, 1955 Filed Jan. 21, 1953 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Tom Watson May 24, 1955 'r. WATSON MANUFACTURE OF CYCLE FRAMES 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Jan. 21. 1953 v Inventor Tom Watson y L /gain A ttorneyS United States Patent Ofiice 2,708,786 Patented May 24, 1955 MANUFACTUPE F CYCLE FRAMES Tom Watson, Birmingham, England, assignor to Walton and Brown Limited, Birmingham, England, a company of Great Britain Application January 21, 1953, Serial No. 332,396

Claims priority, application Great Britain February 29, 1952 13 Claims. (Cl. 29-176) This invention relates to cycle frames. The normal cycle frame comprises a plurality of separately formed frame tubes joined by lugs or junction-pieces, namely by top and bottom steering-head lugs, a seat-pillar lug and a bottom bracket shell, such lugs or junction-pieces each consisting of a tubular body part having a hollow tubular branch forming a socket into which the end of an adjacent separate frame tube has been secured. The object of the invention is to provide an improved method of making cycle frames, or parts of the same, which, by dispensing with lugs, considerably reduces the cost of manufacture, besides providing a frame, or a frame part, of considerable strength, which is light in weight and is of an attractive appearance.

According to the invention, a cycle frame component is formed by pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main or central channel part and a pair of branch channels extending from the main or central channel in opposite directions, securing the two said pressings together edge to edge by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main or central tubular part and two branch tubes, dividing the main or central tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral parttubular or channel portion extending across one end of the said branch tube or disposed at an angle thereto, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form a frame tube of the cycle frame, or a part thereof, and utilising the part-tubular or channel portion of the said unit to form an adjoining frame member, or a part thereof. The branch tube of the other unit may be drawn out to form part of a frame tube and the integral part-tubular or channel portion utilised to form an adjoining frame tube, or a part thereof, in the same way. In forming the top and bottom steering-head components of a cycle frame the part-tubular or channel portion is made of a U-section and is fashioned into an open-ended tube which becomes part of the steering-head tube by forming the U-section into a circle, the opposed abutting edges being then secured by welding. The tube thus formed may be drawn out to the length required. For forming the seat tube component the part-tubular or channel portion of each unit is made of a semi-circular section and its edges are welded to an opposed semi-circular sectioned part having ears for receiving the seat pillar clamping bolt. In the case of the bottom bracket of the cycle frame the parttubular or channel portions of two divided units are welded together edge to edge to form the bottom bracket shell, from which the drawn-out branch tubes extend, a pair of sleeves for the chain-stays being pressed or drawn out from one of the two pressings before the latter are welded together. The appropriate drawn-out tubular extensions and branch tubes of the several frame components are aligned, and their ends are welded together to form the complete cycle frame.

Also, according to the invention, a cycle frame component is formed by pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main or central channel having at each end a pair of branch channels extending from the main or central channel in opposite directions, securing the two said pressings together edge to edge by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main or central tubular part having two branch tubes at each end, dividing the main or central tubular part transversely and longitudinally to provide four separate units, each unit comprising a branch tube and an integral part-tubular or channelled portion extending across one end of the said branch tube or disposed at an angle thereto, drawing out the branch tube to the length required to form one of the cycle frame tubes, or a part thereof, and utilising the part-tubular portion at the one end of the branch tube to form an adjacent frame member, or a part thereof. The main or central tubular part formed by the welding together of the two pressings may be drawn out to any required length before it has been longitudinally divided.

Figures 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings show the different stages in the manufacture of a cycle frame component in accordance with this invention, the component comprising the upper half of the steering-head tube and the adjacent portion of the top tube of a mans cycle frame.

Figure 12 shows the lower half of a steering-head tube and part of the adjacent frame tube formed in the same manner.

Figures 13 to 28 illustrate the different stages in the manufacture of a seat pillar tube and the adjacent top tube of a mans cycle frame in accordance with this invention.

Figures 29 to 39 show how a bottom bracket shell and parts of the adjacent tubes of a cycle frame are manufactured in accordance with this invention.

Figure 40 shows how a complete cycle frame is made up from components manufactured in accordance with this invention.

Figures 41 to 43 show a modified blank and pressings for forming steering-head components.

Figure 44 shows a unit, formed from two pressings, suitable for making a top tube component of a ladys cycle frame.

Referring to Figures 1 to 11 which show the different stages in the manufacture of the top steering-head cornponent, illustrated in its completed form in Figure 11, two such components are formed simultaneously up to a certain stage in their manufacture from two flat sheet metal blanks which are similar in shape and size. One of these blanks is shown in Figure l and comprises a substantially rectangular main middle portion 1 with a pair of integral fiat diverging arms 2 and 3 extending one from each of two top corners of the said middle portion 1, at obtuse angles to the side edges of the latter. Each of the two blanks, thus shaped, is subjected to a pressing operation which converts the main middle portion 1 into a shallow open-ended trough 1 the arms of the blank being shaped to form channels 2* and 3 respectively which open one into each side of the aforesaid trough part, the inner ends of the branch channels 2 3 being set a short distance inwards of one end of the main trough part 1 as shown in Figure 2. Also, there is formed around the outside of the trough part l by the dies used in the pressing operation, a shoulder 4 corresponding to the shoulder formed by the end edge of a normal steering-head lug, the said shoulder 4 being disposed, adjacent the branch channels, as shown. After the two blanks have been shaped in this manner they are superimposed edge to edge with their concave faces opposed diverge a pair of branch tubes 7 which extend one from each side of the said main body part. After the welding operation, the main tubular body part 6 is divided longitudinally down the middle, along the dotted lines 9, thus providing two separate identical units, one of which is shown in Figure 4, each unit being adapted to form one complete steering-head component comprising part of the top frame tube of the cycle frame as well as the upper part of the steering-head tube. Each of these units consists of a branch tube '7 having a part-tubular or U-scctioned part it integral with and extending across its one end, this U-part being adapted to form the steering-head portion. The branch tube 7 is set at the correct angle to the U-scctioned part 19 and, before the steering-head portion is completed, is subjected to a drawing operation, whereby it is drawn out, in several stages, shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, to a length equal to one half of the length of the top frame tube of the cycle frame, and is provided with a shoulder 8, the U-sectioned part it which is still open at one side permitting of the free insertion of the drawing tool into the branch tube. After the drawing out of the branch tube 7 to form the frame tube the U-sectioned part 10 is rounded to form the openended circular-sectioned tube 10* shown in Figure 8, the opposed longitudinal edges 11 of the bent-in sides being pressed together and united by welding, as indicated at 12 in Figure 9. When the said part 19 has been formed in this manner it is submitted to a further operation and is drawn out first to the length shown in Figure 10, and then to the length shown in Figure 11, when it forms the upper half of the steering-head tube, the conventional frame lug being simulated by the shoulders 4 and 8.

The bottom half 13 of the steering-head tube (shown in Figure 12) and one half 14 of the adjacent frame tube, that is of the front down-tube of the cycle frame, are formed integrally by dividing two welded-together pressings in the same way as above described, and by then drawing out the branch tube which is to form the part 14, the said branch tube being set at the appropriate angle, the part 13 being formed by bending in the sides of the U-member, left by the division of the pressings, to form a tube 13 which is drawn out to the required length.

If desired, the main or central tubular part 6 (Figure 3) carrying the two branch tubes 2 and 3 and formed by the two applied-together pressings may be drawn out to any required length before the said main or central tubular part is divided longitudinally, thereby enabling drawing out of the subsequently-formed tubular portion which is to become either the upper or the lower part of the steering-head tube to be dispensed with, if required.

The seat tube components, each comprising part of the seat tube and part of the top tube, are also formed in pairs during the initial stages of their manufacture from two similar blanks. Their method of manufacture is illustrated in Figures 13 to 28 of the drawings. Each blank consists of a main rectangular middle portion 15 (Figure 13) with two integral arms 16 and 17, but these arms lie at acute angles to the side edges of the said middle portion, instead of making obtuse angles therewith as in the case of the blanks for the steering-head components. By a suitable pressing operation the middle portion 15 of each blank is fashioned into a shallow openended trough 15 (Figure 14), and the arms 16 and 17 are pressed respectively into channels 16 and 17 which open into the trough 15 substantially as in the case of the steering-head components, the channel having an external shoulder 18. The two pressings are applied together as shown in Figure 15, and are united at their edges, at 19, by welding to a main open-ended body tube 20 with two diverging branch tubes 21 opening into the latter, the body tube 20 being subsequently divided, along the dotted line 22, into two longitudinal halves, one of which is shown in Figure 16. Each half comprises a branch tube 21, adapted to form one half of the top tube of the cycle frame, and an integral channel part 23, which is fashioned to a semi-circular section and is adapted to form part of the seat tube.

After division of the two welded-together pressings the branch tube 21 of each unit is drawn out, in several stages, shown in Figures l7, l8 and 19, to the length required to complete the rear half of the top frame tube of the cycle frame, the drawn-out portion, which may be formed with a shoulder 27, being set accurately to the desired angle relatively to the channel part 23. The latter forms one longitudinal half of the upper part of the seat tube, the said seat tube part being completed by an opposed semi-circular sectioned trough part 24 pressed to the shape shown in Figure 25, the said trough part being united to the channel part 23 edge to edge, by welding at 25 (Figure 25), the said part 24 having pressed-up ears 26 to receive the usual clamping bolt and being provided with a shoulder 18 After the welding of the ear-carrying part 24 the completed tubular body 28 is drawn-out in several stages, shown in Figures 26, 27 and 28, to form the top half of the seat tube of the cycle frame.

The semi-circular sectioned ear-carrying part 24 is itself formed in pairs, in the manner shown in Figures 20 to 24, from two substantially rectangular similar blanks, each blank 29 being of the shape shown in Figure 20, with a substantially semi-circular integral lug 26 at each top corner. Each blank 29 is pressed up into the open-ended trough 29 shown in Figure 21, and each lug 26 is pressed into the hollow box-shaped car 26 and is subsequently pierced, as shown in Figure 22, with a bolt hole 3t), an external shoulder 18, adapted to correspond to the shoulder 18 on the opposed part 23 of the seat tube component, being formed around the outside of the pressing. The two pressings, with the integral hollow cars 26, are now welded together edge to edge at 31 (Figure 23) to form an open-ended tube 32 (Figure 23), which is subsequently divided longitudinally, along the dotted lines 33, into two halves. Each half now comprises the semi-circular sectioned trough part 24 (Figure 24) with a pair of hollow box-like cars 26 at the middle of one end, the two cars being suitably separated or divided to enable the completed seat tube component to be contracted by the clamping bolt.

The bottom bracket (which constitutes a frame member) with adjacent portions of the frame tubes is formed, in the manner illustrated in Figures 29 to 39, from two separate blanks, but both blanks, each similar to the blank 34 (Figure 29), are used, in this case, for the manufacture of the one article, each blank being used to form one half of the bottom bracket shell and part of the adjacent frame tube. Each blank 34 comprises a substantially rectangular main middle portion 35 with a pair of aligned integral arms 36 and 37 extending one from the middle of each end edge of the blank, at right-angles thereto. By a suitable pressing operation the main middle part 35 of each blank is fashioned into a shallow flat-bottomed open-ended trough 35, the two arms being pressed into channels 36 and 37 which open into the said trough part, whilst pressed out of one side of one only of the two troughs 35 is a pair of dome-shaped nipples 33 which are subsequently shaped to receive the chain-stays of the machine frame. The two pressed blanks are illustrated in Figures 30 and 31. The two pressings are now welded together edge to edge at 39, with their concave faces opposed to one another, as shown in Figure 32, to form an open-ended fiat-sided main tube 40, of a flattened elliptic cross-sectional shape, with a pair of aligned branch tubes 41, 42, extending one from the middle of each rounded edge of the said main tube, the dome-shaped nipples 38 being disposed one on either side of the root end of the branch tube 42, as shown. After the two pressings have been welded together the main tube 40 (Figure 32) is divided longitudinally in such a manner as to provide the two separate units shown in Figure 33.

Each of these units consists of one branch tube 41 or 42 with a J-sectioned part-tubular cross-piece 43 or 44 at one end, with the addition of the two nipples 38 for the chain-stay tubes on the part 44. Each unit is adapted to-form one half of the bottom bracket shell, but by dividing the main tube 40 (Figure 32) in this way each branch tube 41 or 42 is left unobstructed and is rendered readily accessible to the drawing tool. The branch tube 42 is now extruded in several stages to the length shown in Figure 34, so that it forms the lower half of the seat tube of the cycle frame. The nipples 38 are also drawn out at the appropriate angle into sleeves 38* (Figure 35) to receive the chain stays, and the part 44 is given the semi-circular shape shown in Figure 36, the branch tube 42 extending from adjacent one longitudinal edge of the part 44. Similarly the branch tube 41 is extruded in stages to the length shown in Figure 37, and the part 43 is given the semi-circular shape shown in Figure 38, the tube 41 extending from adjacent one edge of the part 43, and serving to form a lower part of the front down-tube of the cycle frame. A shoulder 45 may be formed at the root end of each branch tube.

The two units, comprising the parts 41, 43 and 42, 44 respectively, are now ready for the final operation which consists in applying the respective longitudinal edges of the semi-circular sectioned parts 43 and 44 together, with their concave faces opposed to one another, and with the root ends of the two branch tubes 41, 42 adjacent to one another, in the manner illustrated in Figure 37, the said units being integrally united by Welding together their abutting edges at 46. A circular open-ended bottom bracket shell is thus formed which carries the lower halves of the down-tube and seat tube of the cycle frame, as well as the sleeves 38 for receiving the ends of the chain-stays.

To complete the cycle frame the parts are assembled as shown in Figure 40, the ends of the tubes and 13 of the top and bottom steering-head components being Welded together, and the outer ends of the drawn-out branch tubes 7 and 14 of the said components being Welded respectively to the end of the drawn-out branch tube 21 of the seat tube component and to the end of the tube 41 drawn out of the front half of the bottom bracket shell. The lower end of the tube 28 of the seat tube component is welded to the upper end of the tube 42 drawn out from the rear half of the bottom bracket shell, and finally, the inner ends of the chainstays, which are separately formed, are joined to the drawn-out chain-stay sleeves 38 of the bottom bracket shell, thereby completing the cycle frame.

The several parts of the cycle frame may be united together by any appropriate Welding process, for example, by electric flash-butt welding or by electric percussion welding.

, The shouldered parts of the components may be shaped during the pressing operation to provide feature cuts of any suitable design; or, if desired, these shouldered parts may be omitted, thereby giving a novel, clean-cut appearance to the completed cycle frame, without reducing its strength in anyway.

By forming the frame components in the above manner the tube parts may be drawn out to any desired length, since the pressings may be of any required thickness, giving the necessary metal for the drawing-out operation. Although, in the frame described, one half of an adjacent frame tube is drawn out of each frame component, if desired a frame tube of a greater length may be drawn out from one or more of the frame components, the opposed tubular part to which it is to be welded being made correspondingly shorter; or a cycle frame component may be provided having a part or parts drawn out to the full length of a frame tube or tubes. The top tube of the cycle frame may obviously be horizontal or may be disposed at any suitable angle.

If desired, the cycle frame components may be formed,

as illustrated in Figures 41 to 43, from two pressings each made from a blank 47 of the form shown in Figure 41, each pressing comprising a main or central channel 48 with four branch channels 49, 50, 51, 52, at the corners, the four branch channels being disposed substantially as shown and opening into the main or central channel 48. Two such pressings would be applied together, edge to edge, as shown in Figure 43, with their opposed faces towards one another, being secured at their edges, at 53, by welding, thus providing a main or central tube 55 from which four branch tubes extend. This main tube 55 would be divided both transversely and longitudinally, along the dotted lines 54, forming four similar but separate units, each comprising a branch tube with an integral part-tubular portion at the one end of the latter, similar, for example, to the unit shown in Figure 6. Four units are thus formed at a time instead of two. The main or central tube 55 may be drawn out to any required length before it is longitudinally and transversely divided, or the drawing operation may be applied to each part of the main or central tube 55 after the latter has been transversely divided, but before any longitudinal division has been effected. In this way any subsequent drawing operation of those parts of the components which will be ultimately formed by the divided portions of the said drawn-out main tube or tube parts may be avoided. The exact shape of the blank for forming the four units may be varied according to the components which are to be formed.

Again a single pressing comprising a main or central channel with a branch channel at each corner, as shown for example in Figure 42, may be transversely divided across the middle of the main channel into two halves, the latter being then welded together edge to edge to form a main or central tube with two branch tubes, the main tube being subsequently divided longitudinally to form two units. Here again the main or central tube may be drawn out, if desired, to any required length prior to longitudinal division of the same.

In the case of a ladys cycle frame, the lower rear portion of the top frame tube may be formed from two pressings shaped and welded together, substantially as previously described, to provide a main tube and branch tubes, the main tube being divided longitudinally to provide separate units each of the form shown in Figure 44, and consisting of a branch tube 56 with a U-sectioned part 57 at one end. The sides of the U-sectioned part 57 would then be bent in towards one another and welded to form an open-ended circular-sectioned tube which may be drawn out upwardly or downwardly, or both, and, if desired, externally shouldered, the said tube being utilized to form a part of the seat tube, and being welded to adjacent portions of the latter. The branch tube 56, which would be welded to the branch tube of the top steering head component may also be drawn out as required, the operation being effected before the bending in of the sides of the U-part 57.

I claim:

1. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral parttubular portion at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of aframe tube of the cycle frame, and bending the part-tubular portion of the said unit to form at least a part of an adjacent frame member. a I

2. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel having at each end a pair of branch channels extending from each side of the said main channel in opposite directions, securing the two said pressings together edge to edge by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tubular part having two branch tubes at each end, dividing the main tubular part transversely and longitudinally to provide four separate units, each unit comprising a branch tube and an integral part-tubular portion at one end of the said branch tube, drawing out the branch tube to form at least a part of one of the cycle frame tubes, and bending the part tubular portion to form a tubular part of an adjacent member of the cycle frame.

3. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel. and a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral channel part at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle fra ne, bending in the sides of the channel part to bring its edges together and fashion it into a circular section, uniting the said edges by welding to form an open-ended tube, and drawing out the latter to form at least part of an adjacent frame tube.

4. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral channel part at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle frame, bending the channel part into a portion of a semi-circular cross-section, welding to the edges of the said semi-circular sectioned portion an opposed semi-circular sectioned part having ears to receive a clamping bolt, and drawing out the two welded-together semi-circular sectioned parts to form at least part of the seat-tube of the cycle frame.

5. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tu e and an integral channel part at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of of the u to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle frame, bending the channel part into a part of a semi-circular cross-section, pressing up two blanks each into an opcn-ended channel form with an apertnrcd car at each side of one end, welding together the said pressed-up b {S edge to edge, with their concave faces opposed, to term a tube with a pair of separated apertured cars at each side of one end, dividing the said tube longitudinally into two semi-circular sectioned parts, each carrying a pair of separated cars disposed side by side, and welding one of the two latter semi-circular sectioned parts to the first mentioned semi-circular sectioned part, edge to edge, with their concave faces opposed, and drawing out the two said 8 welded-together parts to form at least part of the seat tube of the cycle frame.

6. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and. a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral parttubular portion at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle frame, bending the part-tubular portion of each unit into a portion of semicircular section, applying the semi-circular sectioned portions of the two units together, with their concave faces towards one another, and securing their opposed edges by welding, so that the two said semi-circular portions together form a bottom bracket shell, the two drawn-out branch tubes diverging from the latter and forming respectively at least parts of the seat tube and front downtube of the cycle frame.

7. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of branch channels opening into the main channel and disposed one on either side of the latter securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tube and two branch tubes extending from the main tube, drawing out the main tube to an extended length, dividing the drawn-out main tube longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral half-tube at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube and bending the edges of the half-tube to form a tubular part of an adjacent frame member.

8. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral channel part at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle frame, and bending the channel part of the said unit to form at least part of an adjacent frame member.

9. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another to provide a main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally at the one side adjacent one of the branch tubes and dividing the said main tubular part longitudinally at the other side adjacent the other branch tube, to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube with an integral part-tubular portion at one end, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle frame, bending the part-tubular portion of each unit into a semi-circular section, applying the semi-circular sectioned portions of the two units together, with their concave faces towards one another, and securing their opposed edges by welding, so that the two said semi-circular portions together form a bottom bracket shell, the two drawn-out branch tubes diverging from the latter and forming respectively at least parts of the seat tube and front down-tube of the cycle frame.

10. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another to provide a flat-sided main tubular part and two branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally at the one side adjacent one of the branch tubes and dividing the said main tubular part longitudinally at the other side adjacent the other branch tube, to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube with an integral substantially J-sectioned portion at one end, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the ,cycle frame, bending the substantially J-sectioned portion of each unit into a semi-circular section, applying the semi-circular sectioned portions of the two units together, with their concave faces towards one another, and securing their opposed edges by welding, so that the two said semi-circular portions together form a bottom bracket shell, the two drawn-out branch tubes diverging from the latter and forming respectively at least parts of the seat tube and front down-tube of the cycle frame.

11. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of diverging branch channels extending in opposite directions from one end of the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main flat-sided tubular part and two diverging branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally along each side to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral channelshaped portion at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle frame, and bending the channel-shaped portion of the said unit to form at least part of an adjacent frame member.

12. The method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel having at each end a pair of diverging branch channels extending from each side of the said main channel in opposite directions, securing the two said pressings together edge to edge by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main flat-sided tubular part having two diverging branch tubes at each end, dividing the main tubular part transversely and longitudinally to provide four separate units, each unit comprising a branch tube and an integral channel portion at one end of the said branch tube, drawing out the branch tube to form at least a part of one of the cycle frame tubes, and utilizing the channel portion to form at-least part of an adjacent member of the cycle name.

13. The: method of making a cycle frame component consisting in pressing up two blanks so that they each comprise a main channel and a pair of diverging branch channels extending in opposite directions from the main channel, securing the two pressings together, edge to edge, by welding, with their concave faces towards one another, to provide a main fiat sided tubular part and two diverging branch tubes extending from the main tubular part, dividing the main tubular part longitudinally to provide two separate units each comprising a branch tube and an integral channel part at one end of the branch tube, drawing out the branch tube of one of the units to form at least part of a frame tube of the cycle frame, bending in the sides of the channel part to bring its edges together and fashion it into a circular section, uniting the said edges by welding to form an open-ended tube, and drawing out the latter to form at least part of an adjacent frame tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,693,045 Murray Nov. 27, 1928 1,791,985 Valkenburg Feb. 10, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 657,603 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1952 

